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Women's Leadership

While there have been important advances in women’s leadership in politics, as of November 1 2017, women make up only 7.2% of Heads of State and 6.2% Heads of Government. Data on women representatives in local government, including as mayors, heads of villages and towns, is not well collected and analyzed. The adoption of an SDG indicator on women’s representation in local government is a great step forward in tracking progress on gender balance, allowing for the systematic collection and analysis of data on women in local government. Women’s access to and continued role in leadership positions is challenged by a range of barriers, including discriminatory laws and practices, as well as social norms that prescribe traditional roles and attitudes towards women’s participation in leadership and decision-making roles. Proactive gender-equality policies within political parties and local government structures, including quotas and special temporary measures, gender-sensitive approaches to electoral processes, support networks, mentoring, training, and engagement of male champions, can all help promote women’s role in political leadership. 

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Family obligations holding women candidates back?

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April 30, 2024

Family obligations holding women candidates back?

Balancing family obligations and public service is a persistent challenge for working mothers in America’s political system, family advocates told the 2024 National Press Foundation Women in Politics Fellowship.

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Balancing family obligations and public service is a persistent challenge for working mothers in America’s political system, family advocates told the 2024 National Press Foundation Women in Politics Fellowship.

Women’s role in democracy and peace: a vital conversation amid rising global tensions

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April 29, 2024

Women’s role in democracy and peace: a vital conversation amid rising global tensions

In a webinar hosted by Grassroots for Europe, leading female activists and politicians discussed the critical role of women in defending democracy aga

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In a webinar hosted by Grassroots for Europe, leading female activists and politicians discussed the critical role of women in defending democracy aga

‘Nobody is going to tell you it’s your turn.’ A roundtable discussion with women lawmakers on the political landscape and leadership in Colorado

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April 29, 2024

‘Nobody is going to tell you it’s your turn.’ A roundtable discussion with women lawmakers on the political landscape and leadership in Colorado

Colorado has consistently ranked highly for the number of women holding elected office for the last few decades. Colorado currently ranks second in the nation for the number of women elected to the state legislature.

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Colorado has consistently ranked highly for the number of women holding elected office for the last few decades. Colorado currently ranks second in the nation for the number of women elected to the state legislature.

There aren’t official rules about women politicians’ appearances, but unwritten pressures certainly exist

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April 29, 2024

There aren’t official rules about women politicians’ appearances, but unwritten pressures certainly exist

Despite their increasing visibility, women in government must still contend with gendered biases about the ways in which they choose to present themselves.

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Despite their increasing visibility, women in government must still contend with gendered biases about the ways in which they choose to present themselves.

More women hold elective office, but not necessarily more power, say Rutgers Researchers

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April 26, 2024

More women hold elective office, but not necessarily more power, say Rutgers Researchers

Tracking the number of women in elective office represents only one measure of political power, two Rutgers University researchers told the 2024 National Press Foundation Women in Politics Fellowship.

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Tracking the number of women in elective office represents only one measure of political power, two Rutgers University researchers told the 2024 National Press Foundation Women in Politics Fellowship.

A woman in politics – a heroine or “the one who neglected her home, husband, and children for her career“?

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April 23, 2024

A woman in politics – a heroine or “the one who neglected her home, husband, and children for her career“?

Last year, we have worked with students of journalism and their assistant professor Jovana Davidović on combating sexist hate speech, sexism and misogyny.

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Last year, we have worked with students of journalism and their assistant professor Jovana Davidović on combating sexist hate speech, sexism and misogyny.

World News

Gender disparity in Pacific politics | Balance of Power project aims to empower women in leadership

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Gender disparity in Pacific politics | Balance of Power project aims to empower women in leadership

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Less than 7 per cent of Pacific politicians are women, compared with 27 per cent globally.

This means the Pacific’s representation of women in politics is among the worst in any region in the world, says an Op-Ed penned last month by former New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Pacific Office resident representative Munkhtuya Altangerel.

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The Fiji Times

Less than 7 per cent of Pacific politicians are women, compared with 27 per cent globally.

This means the Pacific’s representation of women in politics is among the worst in any region in the world, says an Op-Ed penned last month by former New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Pacific Office resident representative Munkhtuya Altangerel.

African leadership in gender equality: the rise of women in politics

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April 6, 2024

African leadership in gender equality: the rise of women in politics

Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Africa’s Stride Towards Gender Equality in Governance

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Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Africa’s Stride Towards Gender Equality in Governance

Six decades of fighting for women in politics: Cynthia Richie Terrell, founder of RepresentWomen

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April 5, 2024

Six decades of fighting for women in politics: Cynthia Richie Terrell, founder of RepresentWomen

Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation in politics, on boards, in sports and entertainment,

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Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation in politics, on boards, in sports and entertainment,

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